Wilton cookie cutters arrive. Sunglasses, lips and mustaches the shapes. Gingerbread cookies ice cream sandwiches on the brain. I bake. They cool. I add a bit of icing. AmeriColor makes some fun colors. I’ll leave you with this while I make my way to Larchmont Village in Los Angeles to pick up a fun flavor in a pint to go to go in between a couple of these from Salt & Straw.

Thanks New York Times for the recipe. I can’t seem to find my recipe anywhere here. I used to display on the refrigerator.

INGREDIENTS

1cup light brown sugar

1cup light molasses

1cup vegetable shortening

1tablespoon baking soda

1egg, lightly beaten

¼teaspoon salt

2teaspoons baking powder

1tablespoon ground ginger

½teaspoon ground cinnamon

½teaspoon ground cloves

4 to 4 ½cups all-purpose flour, more for rolling dough

Royal icing and cinnamon candies, for decorating, optional.

PREPARATION

In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, molasses and shortening. Place over medium-low heat and stir just until mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and mix in baking soda and 1/4 cup cold water. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.

Add egg, salt, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and cloves; stir to mix well. Add 4 cups flour and mix well, adding up to 1/2 cup more if dough seems sticky. Shape into a ball, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness, and cut into gingerbread boy shapes with a 5-inch-long cookie cutter. Arrange on baking sheets 1 1/2 inches apart, and bake until risen and no longer shiny, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow cookies to cool. If desired, decorate with royal icing and cinnamon candies. Store in an airtight container.

Until Next Time..

I play with other cookie cutters and colors for fun…after indulging in the mini cookie ice cream sandwiches. Salted Caramel and vanilla are my go to favorites.

Lips like sugarI find these coffee mugs at the 99 Cents Stores and the tissues at the Pier One Imports